Electric circuit connecter



June 27, 1933. R. w. BABsoN 1,915,279

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONNECTER Filed Jan. 11, 1930 v v m 1% Patented June 27, 1933 PATENT OFFICE ROGER W. BABSON, OF WELLESLEY, MASSACHUSETTS ELECTRIC cmcu'rr CONNECTEB Application filed January 11, 1930. Serial No. 420,269.

In my Letters Patent of the United States,

v No. 1,731,839, granted October 15, 1929, I disclosed an apparatus for making connection between an electrically operated apparatus and anexternal body; specifically between an automobile as the external body and a parking meter, including a visible signal,

a lock, and an electric motor for controlling the lock and check operated lock releasing means, such motor being driven and the visi ble signal operated by electric current supplied from the automobile through the connecter, or from an independent source through a switch controlled by the connecter. The present invention relates particularly to the connecter element of this or an equivalent combination, and has for one of its objects to prevent the actuation of the electrical equipment in the meter or the like I b other means than the special connecter ,or

p n g designed-and provided for a given embodiment of the equipment. Other objects are, (as, for instance, in the case of a connecter in the possession of an automobile driver for connection with a parking meter or indicat0r,) to prevent the undetected departure of such driver after parking, without making the required payment or performing a required duty consequent upon prolonged parking; and to provide the connecter with meaps for preventing its theft and use by others than the lawful owner. The invention comprises the novel characteristics of the connecter plug hereinafter described, of the combination between such plug and cooperating circuit closing means, and equivalent constructions and combinations containing the same principles. 1

In the drawing,-

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an improved connecter plugembodying one phase of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the internal circuit closing equipment of the meter with the connecter plug partially inserted into the meter casing and approaching cooperative association with the circuit closing means;

Fig. 3 is a similar fragmentary sectional .view showing the inserted connecter and the interior circuit closin means in full cooperative engagement an including a diagrammatic representation of a source of electric current and an electric device operated by such source through the cooperation of the connecter and circuit closer;

Fig. 4; is a cross section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic elevation of a form of the invention adapted for use in like equipment supplied by current otherwise than through the connecter;

Fig. 6 is an elevation of-therear side of the connecter, showing the locking means thereof in section;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevation of a detail of the lock; 1

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the lock similar to that shown in Fig. 6, but with the parts thereof in a different position.

Like reference characters designate the same parts wherever they occur in all the figures.

Devices embodying the new invention are adapted to serve all or any of the purposes explained in my prior patent, and other purposes. That is, when the connecter is inserted into the receptacle so as to complete an electric circuit, the current then caused to flow may be used for illuminating a lamp or operating another type of electric signal, or driving an electric motor for operating a time indicator, lock controller, etc., as described in said patent, or doing a number of these things or analogous things at the same time. That is, I wish to make clear that in the protection which I seek herein I am not limited as to the electrical effects produced by the closing of the circuit, but my protection rather is directed to the circuit closing means and accessories regardless of the effects produced. Hence in thisspecification I use general terms to indicate the apparatus and devices with which the connecter is as ociated.

In the drawings, the reference character 11 represents fragmentarily a box or casing adapted to contain and enclose electrical conductors and circuit closing means, and 12, 12a represent electrically operated devices of any nature which may be connected in the electric circuit for performing mechanical effects or showing a light or other visible signal, or causing an audible signal, etc. The device 12 is here shown diagrammatically as an electric motor, and the device 12a as an electric lamp, but it is to be understood that this showing is illustrative and typical, not limiting. 13 represents a connecter or plug having a handle knob 14 and two prongs l5 and 16. These prongs extend in parallel from the body of the connecter and are adapted to enter correspondingly spaced and dimensioned passages or orifices 17 and 18 in the wall of the casing. Preferably either or both of these prongs are given an irregular shape in cross section, and the passages or orifices are complementally shaped as a means for preventing use of any connecter except one designed specifically for a given encased equipment. Preferably also the prongs have alined notches 19 and 20, respectively, in one side, adapted to receive a lock or latch 200 to secure them in the casing, as described in said prior patent. On one of the prongs, as 16, are secured two electrical conductors 21 and 22, separated from one another by insulating material. Preferably the entire connecter, including its body part and the prongs, is made of non-conductive material and the conductors 21 and 22 are strips of conductive metal secured to opposite sides of the prong 16. But this condition may be departed from provided the conductors are sufiiciently insulated and prong 15, or at least that part of it which connects with the after mentioned circuit closer, is of non-conducting material.

In the case where the electric device or devices 12, 12a are operated by current furnished from an automobile, the conductors 21 and 22 are connected with wires 23 and 24 respectively, which pass through the handle part of the connecter and extend to electrical connection with the storage battery of the automobile, here shown diagrammatically The cooperating circuit closer within the casing is a lever 27 pivoted on a stud 28 which projects from a block 29 of insulating material secured in proper position to obtain the effects presently described. A contact terminal 30 is carried by one arm 27a: of lever 27 and is connected to a wire 31 which is led in any suitable course and through any suitable couplings or binding posts into electrical connection with one of theterminals venience, the lever 27 is preferably of metal and the contact piece 30 is insulated thereof the electrical device 12. The other terminal of said device is connected electrically with a wire 32 which iscoupled to a terminal contact 33 mounted on the block 29 and insulated from the lever 27 and contact 30. It may be noted that for manufacturing con from by being contained in a bushing 34 of insulating material.

The lever 27, the supporting block 29, and the contacts 30 and 33 are located and positioned with respect to the prongs of the connecter and the conductor strips on the prong 16 so that when the connecter is fully inserted, its prong 15 will bear on one arm of the lever and its conductor strips 21 and 22 will come into conducting engagement with the contacts 33 and 30, respectively, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In this situation the circuit is completed between the electrical device 12 and the source 26, as shown by the diagramin Fig. 3. A spring 35 is connected to the lever 27 and anchored at a suitable point in the casing so that it tends to retract the contact carrying arm and advance the other arm of the lever, in the manner shown by Fig. 2, when the connecter is withdrawn. By virtue of this construction and arrangement, fraudulent use of the .electrical e uipment 12 is prevented or made difficult. ooperation of the prong 15 or its equivalent with the lever 27 is necessary to complete the circuit when the conductors 21 and 22 are inserted.

In cases where current is furnished from another source than the automobile battery, for instance, amunicipal lighting or power circuit, the circuit is closed by the same switch with the cooperation of an inserted connecter prong having conducting means suitably arranged and connected to complete the circuit between the contacts 33 and 30, and having a pusher or displacer for the lever like the prong 15. Such an arrangement is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 5, together with means to prevent undetected fraudulent displacement of the circuit closer lever by a metal tool or rod. Here L, L represent the leads of the power circuit. From one of the leads, as L, a connection runs to the electric device 12, which in turn is connected with the wire 32 leading to the contact 33. From the other lead, as L, a conductor 36 extends into grounded connection with the case 11 and into circuit connection with a wire 37 leading through a break switch 38, 39, to the conductor 31 and contact 30. A parallel circuit from line L leads to a solenoid 40 and line 41 to a conductor 43 which is connected electrically at 441:0 the metallic lever 27. The core 45 of solenoid 40 is .adjacent'to the switch arm 39 in such aposition that, when thesolenoid is made active, it strikes the switch arm 39 and separates the latter from the switch contact 38. Normally the switch 38, I

39 is closed.

When the proper connecter isinserted in the environment last described, it moves the closer lever 27 and brings the contacts 30 and 33 into connection with the conductive material on prong 16. This conductive material may be the same conductors 21 and 22 previously described, but preferably in a more its tempt to close the circuit fraudulently by in-,

serting a common and convenient tool such as a screw driver to move the lever 27, the shunt circuit to the solenoid 40 is immediately completed when such tool touches the lever 27 because the tool cannot be practically inserted in the case without touching'some part of its metallic structure, and the line L is grounded on the case, as previously explained. The switch 39 is thereby opened and the electrical device 12 prevented from operating,

even though the contacts 30 and 33 should be bridged across by an inserted conductor. Where the service current is alternating, the solenoid is caused to chatter by its reversing polarity.

It will be noted that in the case Where current is supplied from the automobile battery, there is a necessary physical connection of the connecter to the automobile, which may be armored or otherwise protected in. order to make it diflicult or impossible of undetected severance. In the other case described, where current is supplied from an outside source and the connecter used merely as an instrument for closing the circuits, there is no necessary physical connection with the automobile, although a metal tape, strap, chain or the like may be provided for that purpose. The object of such a physical connection is to prevent the automobile owner from driving away from a parking space, after having overstayed the limit of free parking time, without depositing coins inthe case of a parking meter of the character described in my prior patent, or making himself known in the situation where a parking indicator of the character described in my pending application Serial No. 387,756, filed August 22, 1929, is provided.

However, I have devised means, forming part of this invention, whereby the same object is accomplished without any physical connection between the connecter and the automobile, which consists in licensing the owners of such connecters, under laws. regulations or rules governing the use of public streets and other spaces used for parking automobiles. vided with identifying symbols, as indicated by the numerals appearing on the body of the connecter'shown in Fig. 2. *Hence any driver who, finding'his connecter locked in the meter or the'like to which it has been applied, drives away without performing the duty necessary to obtain release of the connecter, is made known to the authorities by the identifying connecter.

Connecters thus licensed are prosymbol on the abandoned I have also provided the connecter with locking means under the exclusive control of the possessor to prevent it from being stolen from the apparatus-to which it has been applied. In the form here shown, such locking means comprises a latch or hook, and

.an obstructor or lock cooperating therewith.

The latch or hook is shown at as part of a slide 51 mounted in a guideway at the back of the connecter body, and adapted to be entered through a suitable hole in the casing and to overlap the rim of the hole on the inside of the casing, cooperating with the prongs 15 and 16 to prevent removal of the connecter. slide and projecting through a slot in the connecter body typifies means for moving the latch hook into and out of securing position.

The latch obstructor or look proper here shown is of the keyless combination type and While in a broad sense it typifies any locking means, whether key operated or keyless, which may be applied for the purpose, it also embodies new features and characteristics which I claim as my invention. It consists of a cylindrical plug 52 and a coaxial cup 53' surrounding the plug and fitted rotatably thereon. A stem 54 passes coaxially from the plug through the body of the connecter and has a disk 55 secured to its outer end. A shaft 56 passes through a central bore in this plug and stem and is secured at .60, the former of which enters a groove 61 in the adjacent end or plug 52, surrounded by a rib 62, and the prong enters a groove 63 surrounded by a rib 64 in the end of the A handle 520 connected to the.

cup 53. In the rib 62 is a notch 65 slightly wider than the prong 59, and in the rib 64 a notch 66 slightly wider than the prong 60. When these notches are brought in line with the path of movement of the prongs, as

shownin- Fig. 6, the latch hook 50 canberetracted, butwhen either notch is brought" into any other position, as shown by Fig. 8,

the hook is locked.

such alinedposition. A. wide number of settings of the dials and variations in the com.-

bination are made possible by providing the shaft 56 with fine teeth 69 complementall v to teeth in the hole througliwhich the she p I? The outer faces of the disk 55, and of a. flange 67 connected to knob 57 constitute iao tionary index 68 j when the notches are in 2 Ill passes in the end wall of cup 53, and providing the stem 54 with similar teeth surrounding the end which is received in the dial disk 55. One or more additional cups surrounding the cup 53 may be provided and equipped with a dial or dials in accordance with the principles here disclosed, if desired, in order to make the lock still more dificult of being picked. A conspicuous advantage of the lock thus made is that it is silent in operation and gives no indication either by sound or feeling when the release notches or gates are in position to release the detent prongs 59 and 60.

It will be understood that changes in the construction and arrangement of the parts thus particularly described may be made without departing from the principles of the invention and the protection which I claim. For instance, the cylindrical plug and cup, which may be collectively termed the cylinders of the lock, may be mounted in the body of the connecter or even on its outer side, instead of projecting entirely from the rear or inner side thereof, and may be placed at the location of the knob or handle 14 and caused to serve as the handle as well as the lock. This modification is in some respects preferable to the form shown, in the interest of compactness. It is readily apparent that the slide may be fitted to any part of the connecter body and its prongs or fingers 59, 60, etc. located in any part of its length or width and on the front side instead of the rear side. Or the lock may be beside the handle or above it, instead of below it, as shown in the drawing. The term connecter is here used in a generic sense to dwignate the specific connecter illustrated, and all equivalents thereof having any or all of the distinctive features possessed by this embodiment. The term does not necessarily imply any physical connection between the connecter and the automobile, etc. with which it is used in association; as has been made clear by the foregoing description.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a casing of a cennecter having separated prongs adapted to be inserted into said casing, a stationary contact in said casing, a lever movably mounted in the casing carrying a contact in the same circuit with the stationary contact, conductive material carried by one of the connecter prongs, a part of which is arranged to come into contact with the stationary contact when the connecter is inserted, the other prong being arranged to move said lever so as to bring the contact carried thereby into engagement with another part of the conductive material carried by the first prong.

2. The combination with a casing having separated entrance openings, of a connecter having parallel prongs adapted to be passed through said openings, one of said prongs having conductive material and the other being a non conductor, a stationary contact in an electric circuit arranged to be contac ed by a part of said conductive material when the connecter is fully inserted, a lever pivotally mounted within the casing arranged with one of its arms in position to be engaged and moved by the non conducting prong, and a second contact in the same electric circuit carried by the other arm of said lever in position to engage another part of said conductive material when the connecter is full inserted.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, a casing, a pivoted lever of electrically conductive material in said casing, a contact carried by said lever and insulated therefrom, a stationary contact, said contacts being in separate connection with the two sides of a power circuit, a connecter having means for completing a circuit between said contacts and non-conducting means for shifting said lever into circuit closing position, an electrical device interposed in one of such connections, a switch interposed in the other connection, and an electro magnetic device adapted, when energized, to open said switch, interposed in a. shunt connection between one of said power lines and the lever, the other power line being grounded on the casing.

4. The combination with a casing of conductive material, of a connecter having prongs removably insertable into said casing, a movable circuit closer of conductive material cooperative mechanically with one of said prongs and electrically with the other prong for completing an electric circuit, an electrical device in such circuit, and electrical means in circuit with said circuit closer for breaking the circuit of the electrical device whenthe lever is so moved by an inserted metallic implement and such implement contacts at the same time with the casing.

5. A connecter for the purposes set forth, comprising a body having two parallel prongs of non-conducting material and strips of conductive material on opposite sides of one of said prongs.

6. The combination with a casing of a switch therein having relativel movable parts, and a connecter having prongs adapted to be inserted into the casing from the outside through suitable apertures provided in the wall of the casing, said switch having members, one of which is movable from normal open circuit position to closed circuit position and is arranged to be engaged and so moved by one of the prongs of the connecter, and the other prong of the connecter being arranged to engage said member and the complemental member of the switch to complete the circuit when the movable memcircuit, a lever of conducting material inher is in circuit closing position andthe connecter is fully inserted.

7. The combination of an apparatus including a metallic case, an electrical device in said case connected with an electric power line, circuit making and breaking contacts connected in circuit with such line and with said electrical device, a break switch in the sulated from the case by which one of said contacts is carried and from which the said contact is electrically insulated, the other contact being stationary, a shunt connection from one side of the power line to the lever, a solenoid in said shunt connection arranged to cause opening of the switch when energized, the other side of the power line being grounded on the case, and a connecter having prongs insertable in said case, one of which prongs is arranged to engage and move said lever so that the contact carried thereby is brought into engagement with the other prong at the same time that said other prong comes into engagement with the stationary contact, said last named prong having con' ducting means arranged to complete the circuit between said contacts at such'times.

8. The combination of a casing having separated openings and a connecter having two separated parallel prongs adapted respec* tively to enter different ones of said openings, one of said prongs having electrically conductive material at separated points on its inner end, separated electrical contacts within the casing for engagement with such conductive material, the other prongbeing of non-conducting material on its inner end, and means within the casing operable by said non-conducting prong to complete the engagement of said contacts with the conductive material.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature. 1

ROGER W. BABSON. 

